Trevor Noah unpacks Biden's 'hot mic' moment with Fox News reporter

"This is what happens when you've been on Zoom calls for two years."
 By 
Shannon Connellan
 on 
Trevor Noah on set of "The Daily Show" with an image of President Joe Biden in the corner.
Watch Next

It's the hottest mic topic of the week.

On Monday, during a press conference in the East Room of the White House, President Joe Biden handed it to Fox News' Peter Doocy. Calling out a question at the end of proceedings, the reporter asked the president, "Do you think inflation is a political liability in the midterms?"

"It's a great asset, more inflation," Biden replied into the live microphone, in a moment that could have been to himself or to the reporter, it's unclear. "What a stupid son of a bitch."

The so-called hot mic moment, livestreamed across the globe, was unpacked by The Daily Show's Trevor Noah on Tuesday, who straight-up had a gleeful time with the subject.

"You see, this is what happens when you've been on Zoom calls for two years. You forget that real life doesn't have a mute button. Son of a bitch. Was that out loud? Sorry," he said.

Noah went on to note that there's been debate over whether it was indeed a hot mic. "People are asking if Biden even knew that the microphone was on but guys, please, come on. He's sitting there talking into a giant microphone, so there's at least a 50/50 chance he knew it was there."

The host also highlighted the, uh, nature of the question itself. "A lot of people online are dunking on the reporter saying that he deserved this because he's just some Fox News guy asking a dumb question. And they're right. 'Do you think inflation is a political liability' is a very stupid question. What's Biden's supposed to say? 'No, I think people like spending more money to buy the same shit.'"

Want more?

A photo portrait of a journalist with blonde hair and a band t-shirt.
Shannon Connellan
UK Editor

Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.


Latest Videos

Stephen Colbert reacts to the Artemis II moon mission
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, gesturing.


'The Daily Show' reacts to judge halting Trump's White House ballroom
Desi Lydic presents "The Daily Show" beside an image of Donald Trump.


A24's 'Mother Mary' trailer is worth it for the FKA twigs track
Anne Hathway is dressed in a red pop star outfit with religious overtones in a film still from "Mother Mary."

Jon Stewart has a brutal reaction to Trump waffling about pens
A man in a suit sitting behind a talk show desk looks angry. In the top left is an image of the president holding up a pen.

Stephen Colbert gleefully recaps the best signs at the 'No Kings' protest
A man in a suit stands on a talk show stage, smiling. The caption at the bottom reads, "I like that one."

Riz Ahmed is troublingly intense in new 'SNL UK' promo
A close-up of a man grinning in a slightly creepy way.


The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!